About Us

Learn more about this nationally recognized and award-winning team

In its early inception, a limited CRPA California junior team was created as a starter program to get more juniors involved in the sport and to raise the necessary funds. The California Grizzlies organization was founded in 2003 as a state-wide junior rifle team and in 2008 it became a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The Grizzlies is a sports program consisting of youths aged 13-20 and focused on providing leadership development in the training of firearm safety, marksmanship, and competition to encourage personal growth, self-discipline, responsibility, team and life skills development. Over two decades the Grizzlies are nationally recognized, one of the most successful junior rifle teams in the country, and are currently ranked as the #1 Junior Rifle team in the United States.

Year over year the team has competed and had impressive victories including a history-making win in 2009 where they were the only junior team to win this award since its inception 105 years and the first civilian team to ever win the Infantry Trophy (NTIT) in 79 years. Additionally, this year a Grizzlies alumnae represented the USA in this year’s Summer Olympics.

THE GRIZZLY GOAL

The goal of a Grizzly is to be the best that he or she can be as an individual and as a team member. A Grizzly learns to win or lose with grace whether on or off the range and to give back to the sport by helping mentor new shooters regardless of their age. The caliber of a Grizzly carries forth to all aspects of their adult life.

A Few Team Accomplishments

In 2009, The California Grizzlies Junior team was the first junior rifle and civilian team to compete and win against the military teams to win the Infantry Trophy (NTIT) in over 79 Years. Linked below is the Congressional recognition.

The California Grizzlies claim three new national records at 2021 National Rifle Matches. Details covered in CMP's Fall 2021 newsletter starting on page 4.

This competitive sporting team was created in 2003 and since then it has had over 135 juniors join, compete and represent this state team.

Learn More

Prior California Grizzlies Junior, Spc. Sagen Maddalena of the Army Marksmanship Unit, from Groveland, CA competed in the Tokyo Summer Olympics in 2021. Listen to her CMP Podcast.

Listen to Podcast

Competing at Nationals

On an annual basis the California Grizzlies team will travel to Camp Perry, Ohio to participate in educational training and to compete in the National Matches for two weeks during the summer. Prior to attending Nationals, the team has an intensive week training led by Jim O'Connell. This year's Nationals will be held July 17, 2023 to July 28, 2023.

LEARN MORE

Grizzlies Learning Experience

Coaching Expertise

The team has access to some of the best skilled precision shooters in the country who have multiple decades worth of individual experience and coaching. Every junior will gain the experience of competing against other juniors and adult shooters. They team the Juniors a sense of healthy competition, progress and sportsmanship.

Marksmanship Skills

Opportunities to learn, develop, train and compete. This is a lifelong and multi-generational sport. For Juniors it combines education and athletics. Individuals have visibility of their skill progression and develop proficiency in accuracy, speed and precision in target shootin. Its a sport that requires attention to detail, personal responsibility, organization, and consistent discipline.

Safety Protocols

Learning in a safe environment and teach responsible enjoyment of this shooting sport. Juniors learn proper and safe handling of their rifle and gun range safety too. This experience will instill and ensure safety standards become second nature to the shooter.

Character Development

Provide youth growth and personal development that will serve them on their maturity to adulthood. Juniors not only stay focused on learning this precision sport, but also scholastically. Learn to compete at both the individual and team levels. Involves mental and physical endurance along with social and emotional skill development. Sense of teamwork and leadership and personal perseverance.